Istanbul: Addax race one report

EXHIBITION FROM VITALY PEROV, 1ST
YET ANOTHER VICTORY FOR BARWA ADDAX TEAM
Vitaly Petrov sealed victory in the first GP2 Series race, which took
place this afternoon at the Istanbul Park circuit in Turkey. The Barwa
Addax Team driver set a...

EXHIBITION FROM VITALY PEROV, 1ST

YET ANOTHER VICTORY FOR BARWA ADDAX TEAM

Vitaly Petrov sealed victory in the first GP2 Series race, which took
place this afternoon at the Istanbul Park circuit in Turkey. The Barwa
Addax Team driver set a race rhythm which none of his rivals was able to
keep up with and drove a magnificent race. Romain Grosjean was forced to
retire from the race with mechanical problems.

Vitaly Petrov made a flying start and in the first few laps was able to
take full advantage by overtaking the leading drivers. He then took
control of proceedings and left all his rivals in his wake. By lap 9 he
had already built up a lead of more than 5 seconds, which increased to
more than 10 seconds on lap 14.When the safety car came out on lap 16,
his lead had grown to 17 seconds. Vitaly and the Barwa Addax Team had to
react quickly, because they hadn't as yet come in for their pit
stop with compulsory tyre change, and were forced to make their stop
immediately. Although the 17 second lead was lost, after a couple of
intelligent laps behind the safety car warming up the tyres, Petrov went
away again, setting a race rhythm more than half a second faster than
all his rivals, and ran out a comfortable winner. Furthermore, he picked
up an extra point for posting the fastest race lap time.

Romain Grosjean, on the other hand did not have one of his most fortunate
races. After making a quick start he attacked the second placed driver
but they touched and Grosjean was forced to fight it out with the main
group of drivers. Romain was forced off the track, losing eight positions
and he got back on the track with dirty tyres and the car slightly
damaged. He kept things going as best he could, made his pit stop and
tried to close down on the 8th place driver, a position which would have
given him pole for tomorrow's race. Finally he was forced to retire
with battery failure.

Barwa Addax Team remain leaders in the overall team category and have
even managed to increase their lead to 33 points over their nearest
rival.

Romain Grosjean, despite not picking up points today, is still the
overall leader in the drivers championship on 31 points. The main threat
now comes from his Russian team-mate Vitaly Petrov who is now just two
points behind and closing in, on 29 points.

The Spanish team, therefore continues to dominate this championship in
all categories.

Tomorrow the second GP2 Series race will take place, with the start at
10.30 hrs. The first 8 drivers from today's race will start in
reverse order.